Hi Friend,
Program Updates, Deadlines & Reminders
Opening Today! Second Events: Round 2 of Event Preferencing opened today Thursday, October 6, at 12 noon Eastern Time, and will close Thursday, October 13, at 12 noon Eastern Time. Reminder: The choices you submitted during the first round of preferencing do not carry-over into the second round of preferencing! If you want to submit event preferences for Round 2, you need to do so through your FIRST® Dashboard. More detail is given in the event preferencing user guide.
Kickoff Registration now open: Last month, a technical error prevented teams from selecting the local kickoff where they would like to receive their Kickoff Kit. That error has been fixed, and the selection capability is now available to teams in the FIRST Dashboard. Teams have until 12 noon Eastern Time on Thursday, November 14 to complete this selection.
Kit of Part Opt-Out Options for Veteran team: Veteran teams who are “event ready” have until Thursday, October 20, at 12 noon Eastern Time to choose to opt-out of the Black Tote and/or the Drive Base Kit. To make selections, select “Payment & Product” under Team Options, choose “Black Tote Opt Out” or “Drive Base Opt Out,” and check the box to receive vouchers instead of the items. You can change your mind and uncheck the box later until the deadline.
- Black Tote: If opting out of the Black Tote, the team receives $250 in vouchers: $125 to AndyMark and $125 to REV Robotics. For more information and directions on how to opt out please visit the blog.
- Drive Base:If opting out of the Drive Base Kit, the team receives a $450 AndyMark Voucher.
Founder’s Reception Registration: Registration for the Founder’s Reception, held at Dean Kamen’s home on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 6-8 p.m., will open at 12 p.m. on October 6 in the FIRST Dashboard. Two post-high school adult mentors may attend the event on behalf of a team.
FIRST Updates
Nominations for the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program are Now Open! At FIRST, recognition is not only part of our name but core to our ethos, and we are proud to launch our second year of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program! Help us celebrate the FIRST educators who impact and inspire their learning communities; we truly could not further the mission of FIRST without them. Learn more about the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program and how you can nominate an educator who has made an impact in your community.
FIRST Alumni Handbook: The FIRST Alumni Handbook has been updated and is now available on the FIRST Alumni page. Share with your team members to help them in exploring their opportunities after high school.
Community Engagement
CHARGED UPSM presented by Haas Teaser: The CHARGED UP presented by Haas teaser is releasing NEXT WEEK! Dust off those investigative skills, and get ready to search for hints on October 11 at 12 noon Eastern Time on the FIRST® Robotics Competition Game and Season page.
Walk like Woodie: As the third anniversary of Dr. Woodie Flowers passing approaches, we invite the entire FIRST community to celebrate and honor his life by participating in Walk Like Woodie Day. While we strive to walk like Woodie every day, we want to take a moment to come together and share our favorite memories and plans to carry his legacy of Gracious Professionalism® forward. Join us on:
- Tuesday, October 11 to honor the anniversary of Woodie’s passing by sharing your memories on social media using #WalkLikeWoodie
- Wednesday, October 12 for Walk Like Woodie day to share how you’re following in Woodie’s footsteps using #WalkLikeWoodie.
Sincerely,
FIRST® Robotics Competition Team Support
